Indian Nicknames in Sports Opposed

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, January 10, 2002

The president of St. Cloud State University intends to urge other NCAA schools to oppose the use of American Indian nicknames and mascots.

Roy Saigo plans to speak during the NCAA's Division II chief executive officers luncheon in Indianapolis on Sunday. It will be the first of two visits Saigo will make this month to NCAA headquarters.

"I hope to educate the public, talking about issues sensitive to a group of people," Saigo said. "I'm not here to attack one institution. I'm here to present the facts and happenings."

The University of North Dakota, whose athletic teams play St. Cloud State teams, is probably the school closest to St. Cloud State that uses an American Indian nickname. They are called the Fighting Sioux.

Last March, Saigo submitted a resolution to the NCAA, asking it to eliminate the use of American Indian nicknames by its members. Recommendations to the NCAA's executive committee are expected in August.